Platitude is an over used expression of a general truth or fact. This is a common type of phrase that is relatable and does not provide much insight due to lack of originality. In literature, platitudes contain significant meaning. Through platitudes, the authors reveal the personalities of the characters, show the norms of the society, and indicate underlying themes. By including these common phrases into their stories, the writers are able to criticize the culture values or depict the viewpoint of the character on different matters.
Platitudes give new meaning in the literature. They serve the purpose that the authors use to reveal the personalities of the characters, to expose the underlying themes, or to emphasize the societal norms. Writers subtly critique cultural values or display a character’s mindset by embedding these commonplace phrases into their narratives.
What is a Platitude?
Platitude is an overly simple statement, cliché or an unoriginal statement. It describes universal truths in a way that feels predictable or self evident. Platitudes seem so empty or unconvincing because of overuse, and they don’t have enough depth or originality to really make a difference to the reader.
Platitude appears in our everyday conversation as well as in the literature. Although their ideas are universally accepted, however often misinterpreted as shallow, since they neither provide further insight nor encourage reflection.
For example, the phrase “time heals all wounds”, or “everything happens for a reason” contain platitudes statements. Such phrases may sound comforting but don’t really bring new perspective.
Platitudes are helpful in the literature. They are helpful techniques for the characters to show their superficial nature. They can be used to point emptiness of some societal values, norms and to demonstrate how people are familiar with phrases instead of confronting deeper truths.
Common Examples Sentences of Platitude
- Good things come to those who wait.
- Time heals all wounds.
- It is what it is.
- Everything happens for a reason.
- What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
- Actions speak louder than words.
- Don’t cry over spilled milk.
- Better late than never.
- There’s plenty of fish in the sea.
- Love conquers all.
- Everything happens for a reason.
- Time will tell.
- It’s always darkest before the dawn.
- Money can’t buy happiness.
- Every cloud has a silver lining.
Examples of Platitude in Literature
Example#1
“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen
“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
– Chapter 1
The novel begins with this famous line, which is a platitude. The use of platitude recognizes the societal truth, which suggests that the wealth men certainly seek wives.
This platitude has been used by author satirically to criticize the general expectation that marriage is connected to wealth and status. This line establishes a humorous tone, inviting us to subvert the view of marriage and social status shared by many in the novel.
Example#2
“Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck
“A guy needs somebody – to be near him… A guy goes nuts if he ain’t got nobody.”
– Chapter 4
The use of platitude expresses the concept that human companionship is a universal need. This statement is used by Crooks who, having been isolated on account of race, has articulated the loneliness that he feels and the mental weariness that this takes.
The familiar thing about the idea “a guy needs somebody” is also familiar and straightforward, and yet Steinbeck employs it to underscore the hunger for connection among the characters in the face of hardship. The author emphasizes the depth of the loneliness of marginalized individuals by framing it as a simple truth.
Example#3
“The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger
“People always think something’s all true.”
– Chapter 2
This platitude reflects Holden Caulfield’s distrust of the superficial beliefs of others. Here, Holden makes a comment about people accepting things at face value without questioning whether it is real or not.
Despite his common truth, his statement is shallow, which is how Holden looks at society’s superficiality. This platitude works to show Holden’s inner conflict with the world around him, never believing, accepting, or understanding truth.
See also: Examples of Persuasion in Literature
Example#4
“To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee
“It’s never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn’t hurt you.”
– Chapter 11
Here, Atticus Finch uses the platitude to teach Scout about handling insults and prejudice. The idea that he doesn’t get offended by other people is depicted in this statement. This advice glories (or ignores) the complex reality of prejudice, particularly as it exists within the racially charged context of the novel.
As an encouraging lesson for Scout, the readers realize that the platitude does not sufficiently express the destructive force of racial discrimination in the place where they live. Harper Lee uses the platitude to reveal Atticus’s moral bearing, its failure also conveys something of the failure of his idealism.
Example#5
“The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
“You can’t repeat the past.”
– Chapter 6
The comment uttered by Nick Carraway is a platitude, which reflects that time won’t go reverse. With this statement, Nick challenges Gatsby’s fixation on reuniting with Daisy and reclaiming his perfect past.
A common truth cannot be lived twice, and yet Gatsby refusal to accept this platitude reveals his desperation and unwillingness to move on. The phrase represents the tragic flaw of Gatsby and the futility of his dreams, and is juxtaposed against Nick’s grounded approach and Gatsby’s unattainable desires.
Example#6
“The Sun Also Rises” by Ernest Hemingway
“You can’t get away from yourself by moving from one place to another.”
– Chapter 2
Here, the author uses the platitude to capture the profound truth about the human condition. The protagonist, Jake Barnes, looks over the thought that external struggles cannot be altered by physical change.
Even though this is a well known truth, Hemingway’s use of the platitude makes Jake’s own existential dissatisfaction and sense of being enclosed explicit. The author recognizes the emptiness of such geographical escapism and to help the characters find purpose in the meaninglessness they experience following World War I.
Platitude vs. Aphorism
Platitudes and aphorisms are brief statements that describe general truths, however there is a key difference between them.
Platitude: Platitude is considered as cliché that has been used too much (and thus has little depth or originality). It may communicate a common truth, without bringing any new insight. Platitudes are familiar and predictable, they can come across as empty or insincere.
Aphorism: An aphorism is a pithy, memorable expression of a general truth, observation, or principle. While platitudes are repetitive and recurring, an aphorism provides a more fresh perspective, a view that invites thought. Aphorisms are usually clever or witty, which makes them feel more meaningful and impactful than platitudes.
Example of Platitude: “Time heals all wounds.”
Example of Aphorism: “Life is short, but the art is long.” – Hippocrates
The aphorism provides an insight observation. It encourages reflection, whereas the platitude is more predictable and offers a general truth without encouraging deeper thought.
See also: Personification Examples in Literature
Literary Terms Related to Platitude
Platitudes are usually linked to other literary terms that involve expression and meaning. Here are two related terms:
1- Cliché
Cliché is a phrase, expression, or idea which is so over used that it no longer has its original meaning or effectiveness. Platitudes tend to be clichés because they are used so often and they are predictable. Clichés may also turn into platitudes, as in the case of phrases such as “love at first sight”, or “the calm before the storm”, which add little to a story or to a character’s depth.
2- Truism
A truism is a statement that is obviously true and is otherwise intuitive. A truism is often a platitude, something so self evident, which lacks originality. Truisms may be true, but they do so in ways that make them sound redundant. For example, the sentence “Life is full of ups and downs” is an example of a truism.
